AST PRO logs every PayPal tracking sync attempt — including the response from PayPal when a sync fails. Use these logs to diagnose authentication errors, rejected tracking submissions, and connectivity problems.
How to find the logs
- 1Go to WooCommerce → Status → Logs.
- 2WooCommerce supports two log storage methods — check which your site uses:
- 3
- File-based logs (default) — a dropdown at the top of the screen lists log files by name. Look for files starting with
paypal-tracking, for examplepaypal-tracking-2025-07-01-xxxx.log. Select one and click View. - Database logs (WooCommerce 8.6+) — if there is no dropdown, your site uses database storage. Use the Source filter and type
ast-pro-paypalto find AST PRO entries. Each row is one log entry — click to expand.
- File-based logs (default) — a dropdown at the top of the screen lists log files by name. Look for files starting with
- 4Select or open the log entry and read the request and response details.
Retention: WooCommerce deletes log entries older than 30 days by default. If you are investigating a failure from more than 30 days ago, the log entry may be gone. For ongoing issues, check the log immediately after a failed sync.
If no PayPal tracking log appears
If no paypal-tracking file or ast-pro-paypal database entry exists:
Reading the log — common errors
| Error in log | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
AUTHENTICATION_FAILURE / 401 | Wrong credentials or sandbox/live mismatch | Re-copy credentials from the PayPal Developer Portal. Confirm sandbox toggle matches the environment. |
INVALID_RESOURCE_ID | PayPal transaction not found | The order was not paid via PayPal, or the transaction ID could not be matched. Confirm the order’s payment method is selected in PayPal Payment Methods. |
PERMISSION_DENIED / 403 | App missing Transaction Search feature | Go back to your PayPal REST app and enable the Transaction Search / Shipment Tracking feature. See how to get your PayPal credentials. |
cURL error / timeout | Server cannot reach PayPal | Ask your host to confirm outbound HTTPS to api-m.paypal.com is not blocked. |
To re-send tracking for orders that failed, use the bulk PayPal export tool.